Help for Jeeper Wannabe

[Bravo4224]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1990 Comanche.  From the pictures and description provided, I cannot figure out which 1990 trim level it is.  The description says: "1990 Jeep Comanche Truck, great condition, only 59,078 original miles. All original interior, exterior and engine. Rubber bed mat. Garage kept."  I have not looked at it in person as it is a couple hours away.  Can anyone here look at the pictures and weigh on what I am looking at here?  The listed price is $7K OBO.  Appreciate any help. 

 

[ftpiercecracker1]

There are quite a few trim levels, but there are four that are most common. Starting with most basic. 

 

Pioneer 

Sport truck

Eliminator

Laredo 

 

1986 models had year specific trim level(s), like Comanche X, maybe more even i don't know.

 

Metric tonne is also a package, but i don't know if it is its own trim level?

 

 

Bottom line, I'm 99% sure the one in the pictures is a Pioneer level. Bench seat, basic arm rests, basic gauge cluster, basic sterring wheel, no bed liner shell, these are all good indicators.

 

Its very unlikely, but since it is a long bed, its possible it could be a metric tonne. I would have to see a picture of the rear axle differential to be certain.

[500 MJ]

Looks like a base trim truck to me. Both of mine were that way when I got them. 

[Bravo4224]

ftpiercecracker1 and 500 MJ,  thanks for the input.  I thought it might be a base model.  I've scoured the Internet looking for comparables and the pickins are slim out there.  On one hand, the original condition and low miles make me want the truck.  On the other hand, the only MJs I've seen going for big dollars are mainly restomods.  Any thoughts on $7K price tag?  I'm probably going to get caught in analysis paralysis and miss this chance. 

[Manche757]

Buy it at $7K before someone else grabs it!   You would spend waaaaay more than that to get it in that condition.  Give it a knuckle knock above the rear wheel well to make sure rusted metal has not been covered with bondo.  Change the the indicator lights to gauges so you will know what might be going on with the engine and protect it.  Otherwise, you found yourself quite a truck

[Pete M]

what do you want out of the truck once you own it?  taking it to shows?  daily driver?  monster truck?

 

rust can creep into any MJ.  bring a chunk of cardboard and be prepared to crawl underneath and poke a flashlight into every nook and crevice of the frame and body.  Especially inside the bedsides in front and behind the tires.  reach up under the dash and feel under the carpet for any moisture.  both sides.  I don't care how low the mileage is, rust free is the only thing I'm ever after for that kind of coin. 

[coolwind57]

What's the big white thing mounted on the tranny hump?  CB radio perhaps?

 

Truck looks really nice, man.  I'd love to see what that rear axle is.  I'd also love to peel back the carpet a bit and see what those floor pans look like.  Garage-kept or not, finding no rust there is like finding a unicorn.    

 

I'd be proud to own this one. 

[Bravo4224]

38 minutes ago, Pete M said:

what do you want out of the truck once you own it?  taking it to shows?  daily driver?  monster truck?

 

rust can creep into any MJ.  bring a chunk of cardboard and be prepared to crawl underneath and poke a flashlight into every nook and crevice of the frame and body.  Especially inside the bedsides in front and behind the tires.  reach up under the dash and feel under the carpet for any moisture.  both sides.  I don't care how low the mileage is, rust free is the only thing I'm ever after for that kind of coin. 

I'm looking for all original daily driver.  I'm semi-retired, so daily driver for me is probably less than 1K miles per year.  Just want drive down to Lowes, pick up some mulch and back home again.  It will be garage kept. The vehicle spent most of its life in WVA and current owner is in OH.  I'd assume truck has salt exposure.  Thanks for the rust tips.  I am going to look at it tomorrow.  I wish I had a mechanic to take with me.  I'm pretty good at reading people.  Any ideas on some questions to ask (i.e. Why are you selling, etc.)?

[Bravo4224]

14 minutes ago, coolwind57 said:

What's the big white thing mounted on the tranny hump?  CB radio perhaps?

 

Truck looks really nice, man.  I'd love to see what that rear axle is.  I'd also love to peel back the carpet a bit and see what those floor pans look like.  Garage-kept or not, finding no rust there is like finding a unicorn.    

 

I'd be proud to own this one. 

I wondered about that too.  I looks like a pink phone.  I will see in person tomorrow.

[Pete M]

also keep in mind that the truck is 3 decades old.  at this point the mileage has taken a backseat to age when it comes to needing work and repairs.   All the rubber and plastic bits in particular may need attention.  7 grand is a lot of coin and it better be in fantastic shape.     I'd be curious as to why didn't they clean the engine bay before asking top dollar?  

 

I believe someone said that the giant phone thing is a CB.    Either way it's pretty sweet.  

 

[NHMJXJ]

1 hour ago, Bravo4224 said:

I'm probably going to get caught in analysis paralysis

 

 There's always another truck.  That truck is base model and listed here in the classifieds.  No AC, basic cluster,  hysterically funny phone/CB

[1989commanche]

On 10/10/2019 at 8:00 AM, Bravo4224 said:

I wondered about that too.  I looks like a pink phone.  I will see in person tomorrow.

Yup looks like a phone handset. You can see the coilly cord in the corner. 

[AZJeff]

That giant "thing" mounted on the transmission hump appears to be a VERY old commercial two-way radio.   The color scheme (gray/brushed silver) and the appearance of the graphics looks very much like what Motorola would have made in the 1960's/1970's.   The pink handset is a bit of a mystery, since the Motorola handsets were black, but who knows....

 

The part on the hump is the control head for the radio.  The actual transmitter/receiver would be some other large box (about 18" x 15" x 6") located elsewhere, with an antenna cable attached, probably under or behind the seat in a typical pickup truck installation.

 

I worked for Motorola on the design of two-way radio in the 1980's, and remember seeing some old stuff that looked like that laying around in the development labs.

[watchamakalit]

It is a 20 channel CB radio. I used to have one. Tele-talk was the brand if I remember correctly

My build: https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=https://comancheclub.com/topic/8033-finally-found-onenow-it-has-a-new-floor/&share_tid=8033&share_fid=53169&share_type=t

[Eagle]

On 10/10/2019 at 3:09 AM, ftpiercecracker1 said:

There are quite a few trim levels, but there are four that are most common. Starting with most basic. 

 

Pioneer 

Sport truck

Eliminator

Laredo 

 

1986 models had year specific trim level(s), like Comanche X, maybe more even i don't know.

 

 

Your order is messed up. From the lowest:

 

SporTruck

Pioneer

Chief

Laredo

Eliminator

 

Quote

Metric tonne is also a package, but i don't know if it is its own trim level?

 

 

Bottom line, I'm 99% sure the one in the pictures is a Pioneer level. Bench seat, basic arm rests, basic gauge cluster, basic sterring wheel, no bed liner shell, these are all good indicators.

 

Its very unlikely, but since it is a long bed, its possible it could be a metric tonne. I would have to see a picture of the rear axle differential to be certain.

 

It's a base. The Pioneer and Chief both had gauges, not idiot lights. Also, only the base (a.k.a. SporTruck in some years) had the "station wagin" steering wheel rather than the 3-spoke wheel.

[ftpiercecracker1]

On 10/22/2019 at 7:55 PM, Eagle said:

 

Your order is messed up. From the lowest:

 

SporTruck

Pioneer

Chief

Laredo

Eliminator

 

 

I didnt even know the chief was a trim level. What was special about it, just a decal package? 

 

And the Laredo is under the Eliminator? But it has/had power windows, seats, locks, mirrors? 

 

I have an Eliminator and as far as I'm aware it was mostly special because it came with full skids (front, t-case, gas tank) and the Eliminator badging. AFAIK, everything else, like bucket seats and full gauges came on other trim levels as well.

[Eagle]

7 hours ago, ftpiercecracker1 said:

 

I didnt even know the chief was a trim level. What was special about it, just a decal package? 

 

 

Pretty much, I think.

 

My original '88 Cherokee is a Pioneer, and my red '88 Comanche is a Chief. They both have full gauges, but on the Cherokee I paid extra to get a tachometer, and the Coamche doesn't have a tach. So the tach wasn't part of the package. Both have the upgraded "hockey stick" arm rests. Both have the mini console. Both came with carpets. The Comanche Chief has a bench seat (cloth, not vinyl).

 

The XJ Pioneer came with the 9-slot 15x6 steel wheels, but with chrome-like center caps and stainless steel trim rings. The MJ Chief came with the white 15x7 wagon wheels. The XJ Pioneer flares were painted body color -- the MJ Chief's flares were black.